Drive for box blank gripping and feeding mechanisms in cutting and creasing presses



Sept. 30, 1958 A. F. SHIELDS 2,853,927

DRIVE FOR BOX BLANK GRIPPING AND FEEDING MECHANISMS m CUTTING AND CREASING PRESSES 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 17, 1956 IN V EN TOR. ,44 552 7' F Sly/[IDS P 30, 1958 A. F. SHIELDS 53,927

. 2 8 DRIVE FOR BOX BLANK GRIPPING AND FEEDING MECHANfSMS Filed May 17. 1956 IN CUTTING AND CREASING, PRESSES 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 I E- ii.

ATraQ/VHG' Sept. 30, 1958 A. F. SHIELDS 2,853,927

DRIVE FOR BOX BLANK GRIPPING AND FEEDING MECHANISMS IN CUTTING AND CREASING PRESSES Filed May 17, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN V EN TOR. 74.4 55/2 r F 639 BY flaw M f W ATTJAE/VW Sept. 30, 1958 A. F. SHIELDS 2,853,927

DRIVE FOR BOX BLANK GRIPPING AND FEEDING MECHANISMS IN CUTTING AND CREASING PRESSES 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 17, 1956 INVENTOR. flzggz fl 54/5 1115 Sept. 30, 1958" 1 A. F. SHIELDS 2,853,927 DRIVE FOR BOX BLANK GRIPPING AND FEEDING MECHANISMS IN CUTTING AND CREASING PREssEs e Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 17, 1956 IN V EN TOR. 41.5512 7 E 6275405 Sept. 30, 1958 A. F. SHIELDS PPING AND FEEDI 2,853,927 NG MECHANISMS ESSES DRIVE FQR BOX BLANK GRI IN CUTTING AND CREASING PR 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed May 17, 1956 I m'T IN V EN TOR. 4551a 1- F Sa /Ems MM Q wmm United States Pate t fiice DRIVE FOR BOX BLANK GRIPPING AND FEED- ING MECHANISMS lN CUTTING AND CREAS- lNG PRESSES Albert F. Shields, Forest Hills, N. Y., assignor to S & S

Corrugated Paper Machinery Company, Inc., Brooklyn, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application May 17, 1956, Serial No. 585,461 7 Claims. (Cl. 93-583) This invention relates to cutting and creasing presses and more particularly to drives for operating the mechanisms which grip and feed box blanks between the die and platen of the machine. The invention herein relates particularly to a cutting and creasing press of the quadrant type as disclosed in my prior patent application Serial No. 436,937, filed June 15, 1954, and assigned to the assignee of the instant application.

In the above identified application a cutting and creasing press is disclosed having a station at which box blanks are stacked for feeding between a pair of continuous belts which then feed the blanks to a further feeding mechanism comprising gripper elements carried by sprocket chains, which gripper elements seize the edge of each blank as it is fed from the belts and pull the blanks successfully between the die and platen.

Thus, the box blanks are fed to the gripper elements in a plane which is substantially the plane of closure between the die and platen of the press. thus seized by the gripper elements and pulled between the die and platen with a motion that is synchronized with the separation of the die and platen, the space therebetween being closed as the platen presses the blank against the die. It is essential that pulling motion of the gripper elements occurs and ceases in proper synchronization with the press, in initially receiving the blanks from a feed belt device, continuing the path of the box blanks in the same direction thru the press, and ultimately delivering them to a belt which feeds to a storage device.

Details of the various mechanisms and units of the machine as briefly described above are fully disclosed in the prior patent application, the present invention having to do with a drive for maintaining motion of the gripper elements in proper synchronization with the moving platen of the press and a particular object of the invention is to insure prompt and positive starting and stoppage of the pulling movement of the gripper elements as they pull successive box blanks between the die and platen for the cutting and creasing operation and subsequently pull the box blanks for deposit on a delivery belt.

A further object of the invention is to efiect a drive for a gripper feed mechanism which is simple and which insures positive locking of motion of the gripper mechanism at certain predetermined times so that the box blanks wills remain perfectly stationary while being operated on between the die and platen.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a drive having a smooth action and one which will not subject itself or the sprocket chains and gripper elements which it actuates to sudden shock movement.

In brief my invention contemplates the provision of a power take-E from one of the main gears of the press which gear is utilized in the press to effect motion of the platen. The power take-off is transmitted to a sprocket which carries one of the chains that forms part of the gripper element carrying and actuating mechrr nism. Thus, by driving the Each blank is sprocket, the latter mecha- I drive of chainaC in an intermittent and positive. fashion;

nism is actuated, all as shown in my prior application.

The particular invention herein has to do with the mode of driving the sprocket in an intermittent fashion so as to predeterminedly start and stop the sprocket in synchronization with the relative motion of the platen and die. In effect, the invention comprises a control mechanism whereby the power take-oif from the platen actuating gear to the aforesaid sprocket is transmitted through a pair of levers interconnected by a pawl-like element carried by one of the levers keyed to the sprocket shaft. The pawl can lockingly engage the other of said levers which is rotated by power take-01f from the platen actuating gear. Thus, when the latter, or driving lever is rotated, it transmits positive torque through the pawl to the other, or driven, lever for the purpose of elfecting rotary drive of the sprocket. When, however, the pawl is moved out of engagement with the driving lever the drive connection between the two levers ceases. At the time of disengagement of the pawl from the driving lever, the pawl is moved into a position where it locks with a portion of the machine frame. This provides a positive lock which prevents any rotary motion of the sprocket to effect positive stoppage of any pulling movement of the grippers and thus holds the box blanks completely stationary.

A particular mechanism is provided for controlling the movement of the pawl into and out of engagement with the driving lever, this mechanism being synchronized with rotation of the aforementioned platen driving gear. A detailed description of my invention will now be given in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an elevation taken from the side of a cutting and creasing press showing the essential elements thereof, wherein said press is of the type disclosed in my prior application.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the press of Figure 1 showing additional elements pertaining to the present invention.

Figure 3 is a skeletonized perspective showing the essential elements of the drive which constitutes the invention in this application.

Figure 4 is an elevation showing details of certain element of the invention, partially in section.

Figure 4a is a view through 4a4a of Figure 4.

Figures 5, 5a and 5b are views of the pawl supporting structure, wherein Figures 5 and 5a are elevations and Figure 5b is a plan view, relative shown on Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a section through 6-6 of Figure 4.

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to Figure l, the essential elements of a quadrant type cutting and creasing machine is disclosed wherein the arrow designed with the legend Box blank feed indicates the plane in which box blanks are fed from a belt feed device to gripper elements G. The gripper elements are carried on bars or slats S being spaced therealong, which slats are afiixed at each end to a sprocket chain C, there being two such chains, and thus transported around sprocket wheels such as W, so as to be positioned in timed relation to enable the grippers to open and seize the edge of a box blank to effect pulling of the box blank between the die D and the platen P of the press. The space between the die and platen is opened and closed by means of cams K rotated by a pair of gears designated as the bull gear B and a substantially bull gear B has power transmitted thereto from a motor M. The machine just briefly described is disclosed in complete detail in my previous invention having to do with the ments actuated by the gear 1 for application, the present addition of certain elethe purpose of effecting Patented Sept. 30, 1958 to the positioningidentical gear 1. -The' 3. so that motion of the chains is positively precluded at certain predetermined times while 'box blanks are being operated on between the die and platen.

Thus, wi par cul r e e en g res. 2 a d 3 he s at 1 ha n mou e h e o P v t hv nrqan citra e a' a as 3 is}: e e w t a gear. 4, keyed, to, a, sleeve 5. Motion of rack 3 effects 360 eve si e ota on o on. a, shaft 14, and, is rotative thereon relative thereto. L kew r ied on s eev 5 n ke d het a. lever or crank arm, 6 having a notch 7 engageable by one end 89, of a pawl 8. The. pawl 8 is carried by an arm 9, being pivotally connected by pin 13.to a driven lever n cra k a m 1 hedr v n a m 2 s d ha Thus, it will be apparent from the description thus far given that rotation, of gear 1 will elfect motion of the rack 3 to cause rotation of gear 4 and driving lever 6. ota ion o ri ng rm 6 a s h ou h h pawl 8 o effect rotation of driven lever 12 to. cause rotation of the ha 1.

A. proc e he is keye o sh 4 is a ht in y d iv n her h T he; p o k .5 sh s tiqn; of chain C, slats S, and gripper elements G all for apurp ose ashereinahove described and as fully disclosed n m pr or p ica on- Periodically the arm 9 is lifted so as. to disengage pawl 81mm no c s and to fiee engagement of he ppo t end of the pawl in the notch 11 of a stationary frame member 1Q, thus positively locking driven arm 12 and spr cket Wheel; 15 against motion. The details of the control of arm 9; will be hereinafter discussed.

Referring-to the co-action between gear 1 and gear 4, the relationship of the diameter of the circle in which Pi l moves to the circumference of gear 4 isv such that for each complete revolution of the pin 2 the gear 4,. will traverse a full 360 revolution and return revolution. Thus, byv making'the diameter of the circleof revolution of the pin. 2 equal tothe circumference of the gear 4 each time the pin end of the rack 3 traverses 180 from one side to the other of' the. gear 1, gear 4 will make a full turn. When. pin- 2 traverses the return 180", in completing the second half of a full revolution about the axis of gear 1, the gear- 4 will make a return full 360 revolution. The arm 6, being keyed to sleeve 5, has the same motion as gear 4.

The grippers G-on the upper flight movein the direction of the arrow" Z. It is desired that the grippers have intermittent motion which is positively driven and intermediate periods where they are heldagainst motion. In orderto accomplish this a control mechanism is providedwherebyon'the return revolution of" the gear 4 the pawl 8 is lifted out of engagement with the driving arm 6 and maintained out of; such engagement during the full- 360 return revolution of the gear 4. As noted above, the driving arm 6 has the reversible rotary motion of the gear 4 and accordingly will move in reverse arc-pate pathwhen gear 4 reverses, as effected by actuat-ion of' rack 3.

However, in order to prevent reversal ofthe driven arm 12, I pr ovid e a cam element having a cam groove 20 on the shaft 19- to which is keyed the gear 1. A follower pin 21 is disposed in the groove 20a which pin is carried by a crank arm 22 pivoted to the machine frame. at 23, Figure 4. The other end; of the crank arm has a bearing block 24 fastened to a control rod 25 and pivoted by pin 26 to rod 25, The other end of rod 25: is pivoted at 26 to a cam element 27 by means of aplate 32 fixedly secured to earn 27. Cam 27 is free to-i'otatively rock on sleeve 5 and has a cam groove 27a inwhich is disposed the end of a follower pin 28, Figures 41 and 6.

The follower pin 2 8- is rigidly secured to the extremityofrthe. pawl carrying arm 9. The shape of the cam groove 20av acting in conjunction with the cam groove 270. which has, a relatively quick rise at 27b effects gear 4. The sleeve 5 is car-tied.

through the pin 28 snap-out action of pawl 8 from notch 7 and into notch 11. 'The cam rise 27b efiects lifting of pawl 8 out of notch 7 and into notch 11 once for each revolution of cam 20. The cam 27 rocks through a total are of about 52". Half of the arc is traversed when the pawl is engaged and. the other half when it is n a d.-

"ljhy cam layouts t are I sorelated; that on return, motion of the gear 4, namely the latter rotation; of,pin; 2 crank 6 is disengaged from crank 12 and sprocket 15 is locked: against rotation byvirtue of theengag ement of pawl Swvithnotch 11. In this manner an intermittent, but continuous forward motion is imparted to sprocket 1,5;

Accordingly, during the forward or feeding motion the grippers G at the beginning of the lower flight of the chains (as shown in Figure 1) initially seize the edge of h qrh h nd. n l twen h diaahdm hte fte e. x h h s s; full nd Prope lypositioned; hst he een... he prock t nd he h ns easamot oh: ecause can se Tilt/lifts p w nd, he pla en an P e e l k.- P ain he e. ur n h rhtitne;

return motion charm: 6 ensues. Thereafter, earn 21) elfects. motion of control ro d 2 5;to actuate canrZJ so; as to disengage pawl 8,zfronji.notch 11 and re-engage it;

9i ri he; hainsrcashmere, husht gtn o .Q m-b t e he i t ndtpla en o. es-

v ry b a pu liha h he. nex ox; hl n sth r o nsure P op r. neaaetn ntwiihi ek fiend;

gear 4.. I provide, as shown in; l-Tignre; 63 a; housing; 33 r und the sca nd. ck; housi s.c rie ...pa

lle s 3.331 and 3.1 hitl i c PP n tlow surfaces of a plate,33c bolted; to, the. rack 3. Thus, as;

shown in Figure these roller-pairs.- are spaced a; suit- .v d t c apart t vepr per. h a i g ppo t o the plate, 330 and provide, secure; guidance for, the rack;

Preferably the: hopsing; 33; is 1 carried on- ,bea-rings such. as.

49, nrn; a i d. o l eve.

As shown in; Figure 5 I prefer to. fasten; the pawl; 8. to the arm 9 by means of; bolts 45 while the-notch;

11 may be. formed; in a separatetpiece. 48 ,bolted; to-themachine frame 10 as by bolts 50, Preferably; the arm; 9. is carried in a bearing Sgtsecured to the machineframe arm 12 as. shown in Figu e 5b.

From theabove description it will be apparent that each set of'grippers comes; to a dead and locked stop-.

at the instantof initially gripping a box, blank, then again during the creasing and cutting operation, and finally, after, pulling the blank, out of the press.,when pin t o a. e e y helt- Having thus described myinvention I am awarethat, various changes; may be made without departing tron-"iv the spi 'itthere f; and accordingly I do not seek to be limited to the precise illustration hereinabovegiven exa cept as set forth in the following claims.

I' claim: 1. A drivefor a box blank, gripping and feeding device in a cutting and creasing press, wherein said. press has. amoving platen, saiddrivev comprising a rotative driving crank, a rotative driven crank, coupling-meansintermediate. said cranks whereby saiddriving-crankcan drive said driven crank, andcontrol means forpositively actuating said coupling meansto both a first and a second position to effect orpreventa driving engagement betweensaid cranks, said control means actuating said coupling means in synchronization with motion of said platen, and wherein said driver crankhas-continuous, rotative, uni-directional motion and said driving crank is provided with reversible rotary motion, said control means effecting driving engagement in one direction of rotation of said driving crank and disengagement in the opposite direction.

2. An intermittent drive mechanism having positive driving and positive locking action for a box blank grip,- ping and feeding device in a cutting and creasing press,

comprising a shaft for driving said device, a crank member keyed to said shaft, a sleeve on said shaft, said sleeve being rotative with respect to said shaft, a crank mem ber keyed on said sleeve, a pawl element carried by one of said members and disposed intermediate said crank members for engagement with the other of said crank members whereby rotation of said sleeve effects driving of said shaft through said crank members and said intermediate pawl element; an arm pivotally carried on said one crank member, said pawl element being secured to said arm, control means for locking said arm to effect engagement or disengagement of said pawl element with said other member, said control means comprising a cam carried on said sleeve and freely rotative thereon, a pin connecting said cam to said arm for effecting locking of said arm by said cam, and means for effecting rocking in one direction and subsequent rocking in the reverse direction of said cam to actuate said pin to effect engagement or disengagement of said pawl element for predetermined periods of time.

3. An intermittent drive mechanism having positive driving and positive locking action for a box blank gripping and feeding device in a cutting and creasing press, comprising a shaft for driving said device, a crank member keyed to said shaft, a sleeve on said shaft, said sleeve being rotative with respect to said shaft, a crank member keyed on said sleeve, a pawl element carried by one ofv said members and disposed intermediate said crank members for engagement with the other of said crank members whereby rotation of said sleeve effects driving of said shaft through said crank members and said intermediate pawl element; means for driving said sleeve comprising a gear on said sleeve, a rack engaging said gear means for moving said rack to effect one revolution of said gear and a reverse revolution thereof, and control means for disengaging said pawl from said other crank member and locking said pawl at the time of reversal of said gear, including an arm pivot-ally carried on said one crank member, said pawl element being secured to said arm, said control means comprising a cam carried on said sleeve and freely rotative thereon, a pin connecting said cam to said arm for eifecting locking of said arm by said cam, and means for effecting rocking in one direction and subsequent rocking in the reverse direction of said cam to actuate said pin to effect engagement or disengagement of said pawl element for predetermined periods of time.

4. An intermittent drive mechanism having positive driving and positive locking action for a box blank gripping and feeding device in a cutting and creasing press, comprising a shaft for driving said device, a crank member keyed to said shaft, a sleeve on said shaft, said sleeve being rotative With respect to said shaft, a crank member keyed on said sleeve, a pawl element carried by one of said members and disposed intermediate said crank members for engagement with the other of said crank members whereby rotation of said sleeve effects driving of said shaft through said crank members and said in termediate pawl element; means for disengaging said pawl element from said other crank member and locking said pawl element against motion so as to lock said shaft against rotation, including an arm pivotally carried on said one crank member, said pawl element being secured to said arm, control means for rocking said arm to effect engagement or disengagement of said pawl element with said other member, said control means comprising a cam carried on said sleeve and freely rotative thereon, a pin connecting said cam to said arm for effecting rocking of said arm by said cam, and means for effecting rocking in one direction and. subsequent rocking in the reverse direction of said camto rockingly actuate said pin.

5. An intermittent drive mechanism having positive driving and positive locking action for a box blank gripping and feeding device in a cutting and creasing press, comprising a shaft for driving said device, a crank member keyed to said shaft, a sleeve on said shaft, said sleeve being rotative with respect to said shaft, a crank member keyed on said sleeve, a pawl element carried by one of said members and disposed intermediate said crank members for engagement with the other of said crank members whereby rotation of said sleeve effects driving of said shaft through said crank members and said intermediate pawl element; means for driving said sleeve comprising a gear said gear, means for moving said rack to effect one revolution of said gear and a reverse revolution thereof, and cam operated control means for disengaging said pawl from said other crank member, and locking said pawl at the time of reversal of said gear.

6. An intermittent drive mechanism having positive driving and positive locking action for a box blank gripping and feeding device in a cutting and creasing press, comprising a shaft for driving said device, a crank member keyed to said shaft, a sleeve on said shaft, said sleeve being rotative with respect to said shaft, a crank member keyed on said sleeve, a pawl element carried by one of said members and disposed intermediate said crank members for engagement with the other of said crank members whereby rotation of said sleeve effects driving of said shaft through said crank members and said intermediate pawl element; means for disengaging said pawl element from said other crank member and locking said pawl element from said other crank member and locking said pawl element against motion so as to lock said shaft against rotation including means for driving said sleeve comprising a gear on said sleeve, a rack engaging said gear, means for moving said rack to eifect one revolution of said gear and a reverse revolution thereof and cam driven control means for disengaging said pawl from said other crank member, and locking said pawl at the time of reversal of said gear.

7. An intermittent drive mechanism having positive driving and positive locking action for a box blank gripping and feeding device in a cutting and creasing press, comprising a shaft for driving said device, a crank member keyed to said shaft, a sleeve on said shaft, said sleeve being rotative with respect to said shaft, a crank member keyed on said sleeve, a pawl element carried by one of said members and disposed intermediate said crank members for engagement with theother of said crank members whereby rotation of said sleeve effects driving of said shaft through said crank members and said intermediate pawl element, means for disengaging said pawl element from said other member and locking said pawl element against motion so as to lock said shaft against rotation, said locking means comprising a stationary notched member, said pawl having an end engageable therein upon disengagement from said other member thereby locking the crank member, carrying the pawl element against rotation.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS on said sleeve, a rack engaging 

